(Editor's Note: Montana State Press Release)
BOZEMAN -- Montana State sophomore middle blocker Emma Pence has been named the #BigSkyVB Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced on Tuesday afternoon. It marked the first time a Bobcat has been honored this season.
Pence, a product of Carson City, Nevada, had an outstanding offensive weekend for the Bobcats as MSU defeated Northern Arizona 3-0, after suffering a hard-fought 3-2 setback to the Lumberjacks on Saturday night. In eight sets, Pence averaged 2.50 kills per set, while hitting an impressive .514 from the field. In Sunday's win, Pence notched nine kills and a .500 attack mark. On Saturday, she posted 11 kills and a .529 attack mark. Pence leads the Big Sky Conference in hitting with a .463 attack mark.
“Offensively and defensively, Emma has proven to be a high value to the program,” said MSU head coach Daniel Jones. “She goes out there and gets big blocks at key moments and offensively, she continues to produce, coming off two nights hitting over .500. That’s what elite middles blockers do.”
Pence was also strong on the defensive side in MSU's split with Northern Arizona. On the weekend, she totaled nine block assists, averaging 1.13 per set. In Saturday's 3-2 loss to NAU, Pence recorded a team-best five blocks. In MSU's 3-0 sweep of the Lumberjacks as added a match-high four blocks. Pence also leads the Big Sky Conference, averaging 1.36 blocks per set.
